IE 8 freezes as soon as it's opened

I am running i.e.8 on a win XP SP3 computer. As soon as I open it, it freezes-every time. I was current with updates within the last month or so, now I can't even do updates. Any suggestions appreciated.

Is it possible to try a restore point from a time where IE worked? If that is possible, I would try it.

If it's not possible, there are only two more monthly patches for XP. Are you planning to keep running XP? If you are, probably it won't be too big a loss if you miss the remaining patches and use a decent browser instead. Chrome or Firefox will replace IE with huge advantages.
If you are planning to migrate, then maybe now will be a good time.

Try booting to Safe Mode with Networking. See if IE freezes in that environment. If IE has no problem in Safe Mode with Networking, then there is something in Windows that is interfering with it.

Here are some things you can try:

1. Disable all Browser add-ons except for the ones from your anti-virus program.

2. Do a full scan with your anti-virus program. If you don't have a name-brand anti-virus program, then download, install, and run Trend Micro's free trial edition. It is a fully functional version, but it is good for only 30 days. Also, download, install, and run Trend Micro's free antivirus tools (found on their website).

3. Disable all non-Microsoft and non-Antivirus DLLs -- download and run Shell Ex View (www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html). Using this program, you can easily disable and reenable whichever DLLs you want. See if the problem disappears after disabling the non-Microsoft and non-Antivirus DLLs and then rebooting. If it does, then reenable a few at a time, rebooting each time. If the problem comes back, you'll be able to easily see what caused the problem. Leave that one disabled.